Next local branch, virtual branch and regional events

As we have not been able to attract enough members to some of our local events, CIM Northamptonshire's committee has created a CIM Virtual Branch on LinkedIn. If you are a member of LinkedIn, please join the group here

Following a break, CIM Northamptonshire's next two events are shown in the posting below and on the CIM Events Pages.

The first will be in Northampton on 22ndMay 2013, helping you to "Find out where social media fits in the new customer-driven marketing mix"

The second will be a "Survive and thrive" afternoon event on 6th June 2013 at the University of Northampton, Sunley Management Centre.

If you have any questions, please post them on this blog or on the CIM Virtual Branch on LinkedIn.


30th October 2007 - Northampton - "Killer Presentations" by Nicholas B. Oulton

We've all been there, whatever level we're working at. We have to make a presentation to the boss or an existing client or even at a pitch so learning how to use PowerPoint effectively has become a necessary business skill.

A memorable presentation can make the difference between winning and losing an order, gaining acceptance of an idea or failing, or creating a meaningful exchange of information rather than misunderstanding.In this session, you will learn how to transform your PowerPoint presentation into a truly effective message delivery medium, leaving a memorable and mesmerising impression on your audience.


Speaker:
Nicholas B. Oulton is a Chartered Marketer and a professional presenter with over thirteen years sales and marketing experience.

Time:
18:30 - 20:30

Venue:
Northampton Town Football Club, Sixfields Stadium, Northampton NN5 5QA

Price:
CIM Member £5
CIM Student & Student Free
Guest £10

Click here to book on line.

Press Release: OVERLOOK MARKETING TRAINING AND RISK BUSINESS DOWNTURN, WARNS INSTITUTE

PRESS RELEASE


OVERLOOK MARKETING TRAINING AND RISK BUSINESS DOWNTURN, WARNS INSTITUTE

As marketers increase their activity for their Christmas campaigns, off-the-job training can often be overlooked as the pressure mounts. But to do so can be to the detriment of the business, The Chartered Institute of Marketing is warning businesses in the East Midlands.

Research has shown that there is a significant link between training and the chances of a business closing. Of the companies that did not provide training for employees, over one in four of (27%) closed between 1998 and 2004, while only one in nine companies that did provide training failed during the same period.*

“This is a significant statistic and one that businesses in the East Midlands can learn from,” explains Jill Wells, regional chair of The Chartered Institute of Marketing in the East Midlands. “Marketers are front line when it comes to driving growth and if they don’t have the qualifications or training that keeps them up-to-date then their employer’s business could unintentionally suffer.”

And yet research also shows that 11% of employees feel they are under-skilled for their current role.** If marketers are to work at their optimal level then active and targeted training by employers is vital.

“Those that are under-skilled are less likely to take advantage of marketing opportunities as they arise and are less likely to understand how strategic marketing can best position the business for growth,” concludes Jill.

There is a full events schedule available in the East Midlands as well as professional courses available at the local study centres, details of which may be found at www.cim.co.uk/events. In addition, The Chartered Institute of Marketing provides both professional qualifications and short courses that promote excellence in marketing. These are based on detailed research and feedback from employers, industry leaders, academics and The Institute’s students.

ENDS


* Training and Establishment Survival, Skills for Business Research Report 22, March 2007, Sector Skills Development Agency, www.ssda.org.uk
** Job Matching in the UK and Europe, Skills for Business Research Report 25, July 2007, Sector Skills Development Agency, www.ssda.org.uk

Note to editors: For assistance, kindly contact Amy Claridge on 01522 698 698 / 07770 764446.

About The Chartered Institute of Marketing:
The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the leading international professional marketing body with some 50,000 members worldwide. First established in 1911 it has for almost a century defined the marketing standards that operate in the UK and is the global champion of best marketing practice. The Institute exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners, enabling them to deliver exceptional results for their organisations. It does this by providing membership, qualifications and training to marketing professionals around the world. For more information please visit: www.cim.co.uk

Rod Wilkes event (Click this title to see all the comments)

What did people think of our new chief last night?

Am interested in what others had to say as I couldn't make it.

Follow up to the meeting with CIM CEO - Rod Wilkes on 18th June 2007

Dear fellow marketer

Thanks to those of you who attending last night’s event.

We felt that the discussion and comments from members were a very useful part of the evening. Several themes have emerged which we are discussing with Head Office and taking up amongst the branch committee. We will report back to you and the rest of the branch in the next few months on how some of these initiatives are being developed.

In the meantime we are outlining some of the key tangible member benefits, over and above the status that is inferred from the qualifications.

  • Access to marketing journals, including Harvard Business Review and the Economist, click here (remember to log in as a member first).
  • A weekly marketing news update, emailed to members each Wednesday. Click here to subscribe.
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance click here
  • Free legal helpline click here (you need to be logged into the site for access).
  • Membership of the fledgling Small Business Group – call 01628 427120

A report on last night's event will be posted on the blog shortly.

Best wishes,
Sara Gadzik
Chair - CIM Nottingham

COUNTY’S FOOD PRODUCERS EXPLAIN THEIR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

PRESS RELEASE (8 June)

Northamptonshire’s marketers and business people are being invited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing to an event which will explore how food producing in the county is as much about marketing as it is taste if success is to be on the menu.

Northamptonshire’s creative and inventive food producers have worked together to identify and target niche markets effectively, and ensured success for their quality products.

"Our county’s food producers are as switched on when it comes to marketing as they are in supplying fantastic quality food," explains Steve Bishop, branch chair and director of local agency Nutshell Creative Marketing. "The changing practices applied by the producers in response to market trends have led to the development of strong brands and the pooling of resources with excellent results. "

Speakers will include farmer, butcher and restaurateur James Burgess Lumsden and producers of wine, lavender cakes, breads and preserves Bill Hulme and daughter Fleur Hulme.

If all this sounds like hungry work, worry not as the event will conclude with a BBQ of local produce and the chance to get down to some serious food sampling!

A Taste of Northamptonshire will take place at The Hunsbury Hill Centre, Harksome Hill, Northampton. NN4 9QX on Wednesday 20 June 2007. The event will commence at 1830 with the BBQ following at 2030. The cost, including food, is £5 for Chartered Institute of Marketing members and £7 for non-others. Studying members free. All welcome.
To book a place or for more information visit www.cim.co.uk/events or call 01628 427120.

ENDS
Note to editors: For assistance, kindly contact Amy Claridge on 01522 698 698 / 07770 764446.
About The Chartered Institute of Marketing: The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the leading international professional marketing body with some 50,000 members worldwide. First established in 1911 it defines the marketing standards that operate in the UK and is the global champion of best marketing practice. The Institute exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners, enabling them to deliver exceptional results for their organisations. It does this by providing membership, qualifications and training to marketing professionals around the world. For more information please visit: www.cim.co.uk

Do you want to ask Rod Wilkes (CIM CEO) any questions?

Are there any questions you would like to ask Rod Wilkes, the new CEO of the CIM, but you can not get to the CIM event in Nottingham on 18th June 2007?

If the answer is yes, please post your questions in "comments", below this posting.

We will then ensure that your questions are posed to Rod during the Nottingham event.

We will also be posting the question and answer session on this blog after the event.

Press release: NORTHAMPTON’S MARKETERS FIRST TO BLOG

PRESS RELEASE

NORTHAMPTON’S MARKETERS FIRST TO BLOG

The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Northampton branch believes it is the first in the country to embrace the trend for interacting freely, easily and instantly online by starting its own blog. The blog - to be found at www.cimnorthants.blogspot.com - will act as a newsletter about local events and campaigns but will allow the area’s marketers to post information and have their say if they wish.

The idea came from committee member Nigel Adams, who shared his enthusiasm with the rest of the committee and together they felt that the branch should be the first to see if blogging helps local marketers to interact and make the most of what’s available to them.

"We recently had a brilliant event about new technology in marketing", explains Nigel "and we thought it would be a good idea to try using this new technology to see if it would help us improve communications with our members and local marketers, as well as getting feedback from them.
A newsletter via post or email is the usual way for branches to communicate but it is a one-way communication. We hope our blog will foster a lively interaction of both news and views."

Adding posts and commenting on them is open to not only Chartered Institute of Marketing’s members but also local marketing people and business owners, just as events are.

A blog - short for weblog - is an online journal or newsletter that is frequently updated and intended for general public use. It is estimated that there are 150 million blogs created around the world.

ENDS

Note to editors: For assistance, kindly contact Amy Claridge on 01522 698 698 / 07770 764446.
About The Chartered Institute of Marketing: The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the leading international professional marketing body with some 50,000 members worldwide. First established in 1911 it defines the marketing standards that operate in the UK and is the global champion of best marketing practice. The Institute exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners, enabling them to deliver exceptional results for their organisations. It does this by providing membership, qualifications and training to marketing professionals around the world. For more information please visit: www.cim.co.uk

Yet another successful event for CIM Northamptonshire

The Printing Industry and the Environment at Fedrigoni UK on 17th May 2007

About 60 people came along to Fedrigoni's conference centre and heared presentations by experts from Fedrigoni Environmental Papers, Clare Taylor Consulting, Royle Corporate Print (a litho printer), Cambrian Printers (a digital printer), who presented their ideas and experiences on how marketers can make their printed marketing activity more environmentally friendly without busting their budgets.

The presentations were followed by a networking reception, thanks to the hospitality of Fedrigoni UK Ltd.

Copies of the presentations will be made available in the near future on the CIM Website.

Press release: PAY ATTENTION NOT LIP SERVICE TO RESPONSIBLE PRINTING, SAYS INSTITUTE

This release has been kindly carried by the local press, but here's a copy FYI. Many thanks! Amy

PRESS RELEASE

PAY ATTENTION NOT LIP SERVICE TO RESPONSIBLE PRINTING, SAYS INSTITUTE

At a time when consumers are increasingly questioning the environmental impact of printed marketing materials, the Northampton branch of The Chartered Institute of Marketing has organised a free seminar for all business people to attend.

Hosted by Fedrigoni UK, itself recognised by the EU for product environmental excellence, the seminar will feature experts speakers from Fedrigoni Environmental Papers, DEFRA, Clare Taylor Consulting, Royle Corporate Print and Cambrian Printers and a case study from Business Echo. The seminar concludes with cocktails and canapés to help delegates network.

Each will present their ideas on how to make printed marketing communications – and therefore marketing as a whole - more environmentally friendly. Fedrigoni sales manager Simon Shenton will explain the benefits of environmental paper, DEFRA will talk about environmental labelling, whilst Clare Taylor will discuss recycling, sustainable forestry and environmental responsibility. Royal Corporate Print’s managing director Michael Yorke will explain the advantages of environmental litho printers then Carrick Wilkie of Cambrian Printers will give an insight into working with a ‘green’ digital printer.

"Being environmentally responsible is something that businesses are increasingly demanding from suppliers. This seminar looks at one area of marketing that typically gets bad press and will demonstrate that there are companies who pay more than lip service to the issue of acting ethically with their print," explains Steve Bishop, branch chair and director of local agency Nutshell Creative Marketing. "Businesses have a duty to act responsibly and develop a sensible approach towards their print procurement. This will be a really useful and interesting free seminar, to which all are welcome."

The Printing Industry & The Environment will take place at Fedrigoni UK, Brampton Grange, Sandy Lane, Chapel Brampton, NN6 8AD on Thursday 17 May 2007. The event will commence at 1430 with refreshments on arrival. The event finishes at 6.30pm. Free. All welcome.
To book a place or for more information visit www.cim.co.uk/events or call 01628 427120.

ENDS

Note to editors: For assistance, kindly contact Amy Claridge on 01522 698 698 / 07770 764446.
About The Chartered Institute of Marketing: The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the leading international professional marketing body with some 50,000 members worldwide. First established in 1911 it defines the marketing standards that operate in the UK and is the global champion of best marketing practice. The Institute exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners, enabling them to deliver exceptional results for their organisations. It does this by providing membership, qualifications and training to marketing professionals around the world. For more information please visit: www.cim.co.uk

Presentation now available in audio format

You can now download an audio copy of my presentation April's CIM event from http://www.uptonaway.com/uptonaway_cim_0407_rssfeedaudio.mp3

Unfortunately various constratints have prevented me being able to provide this is in a video format at the moment but if that changes, I'll post the link up here.

Questions arising from RSS/Podcasting presentation

If anyone has any questions as a result of the presentation on Tuesday night, feel free to drop me a line if I can help you. My contact details are below.

It is my intention to post a copy of any replies on this blog, should anyone else have a similar query so if you would like the conversation to remain private, please let me know when you get in touch.

Thanks

Chris Rivett
Uptonaway Media
WEB AND PRINT SOLUTIONS DESIGNED TO SUIT ANY BUDGET


[ t ] 08456 106410
[ m ] 07970 776293
[ f ] 08702 352719
[ e ] chris@uptonaway.co.uk
[ w ] www.uptonaway.co.uk

Successful event on 24th April 2007

The New Technology in Marketing - Smart Phones, RSS feeds and Podcasts event was a great success. More than 25 people came along to the Guildhall in Northampton to hear interesting presentations by Chris Rivett and Stuart White folllowed by a lively discussion and exchange of ideas about "New Technology in Marketing".

A copy of Chris Rivett's presentation is now available by clicking here. Don't worry when you see the "File Download - Security Warning" windows, click "Run" on each window and you will then see the first slide. To see the rest of Chris's presentation slides, click on the right side of each slide and you can scroll through them all.

Look out for our next event on The Printing Industry and the Environment to be held on 17th May 2007 between 14:30 and 18:30. This will be a free event presented by Fedrigoni Limited at their offices in Chapel Brampton, north west of Northampton. You can find out more and book on the CIM website.

Don't forget tonight's CIM Northants event

New Technology in Marketing - Smart Phones, RSS feeds and Podcasts

Venue: Jeffery Room, The Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton NN1 1DE (Click for map)

Date: Tuesday 24th April 2007 Time: 18:30 - 21:00

Feeling a bit left behind? Find out about new technologies tonight with our two expert speakers and enter a draw to win a free podcast.

See details in previous post.

If you have time and plan to come to the event, please add your name in a "Comment" on this post. Thanks.

24th April 2007- Northampton - New Technology in Marketing - Smart Phones, RSS feeds and Podcasts

Venue: Jeffery Room, The Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton NN1 1DE (Click for map)

Date: Tuesday 24th April 2007 Time: 18:30 - 21:00

Feeling a bit left behind? Find out about new technologies tonight with our two expert speakers and enter a draw to win a free podcast.

Chris Rivett from Upton(a)way Media will discuss the benefits of utilising the latest Web 2.0 technologies and implementing Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds and Podcasting opportunities into your marketing mix. Chris will provide a brief overview of the two areas, explaining how they compliment each other and will go on to demonstrate that you don't need to spend a lot of money to promote your business in this manner, you can in fact produce them in-house relatively easily. It is intended people will leave the meeting with a better understanding of what podcasting and RSS feeds are, and what they can do for you and your business.

Stuart White from Optim Management will be looking at Smart Phones. He will give a history of the developments in mobile office/ mobile data, from 1994 to date and illustrate how you don't necessarily need a Blackberry or other Smart phone to work away from the building we call the office. He will explain that companies without IT departments can function with mobile office applications just as well as the larger companies and briefly mention new mobile data developments and what that may mean for the office of the future.

This briefing session is ideal for smaller companies in particular as well as those that would like to de-mystify new technologies.

Cost: Members - £5.00, Guests - £10.00, Students - Free

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